Take That, Hornets!

HWULA wrote:

New user here. Made an account just to say I really enjoy the hardworking you're doing. Winona native here and I think the Wildcats are a pretty solid representation of things. Can I get a Wildcats sig?

I might screw around and start doing a sports league myself. Thanks for inspiring. Can't wait to see what the rest of the series looks like.

Thank you, welcome aboard!

1972 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round Day 2 - Twin Cities


Edina Cake Eaters vs Roseville Rockets
Down go the Cake Eaters! The 2nd seeded team in the south is done after only one game, falling to a Roseville team making their first playoff appearance. Everyone had already written off the Rockets, and why wouldn't they? Roseville hasn't exactly been a powerhouse in their 10 year history, compared to Edina who many had as their favorites to win it all this year. On paper this one looked done before it began, but that is why you need to play the games. Edina seemed lackadaisical, almost uninterested in the game at hand, as though they were already thinking about the Super Series. Roseville made them pay, jumping out to a 3-1 lead after 2. The Cake Eaters seemed to finally realize what was happening when it was too late, turning it on in the final 5 minutes and bringing them to within one, but the Rockets managed to clear the puck down ice over and over again, killing the clock until the final horn sounded. The Roseville Rockets have done the impossible, upsetting Edina by a final score of 3-2.

Maplewood Retrievers vs St. Paul Saints
Green and Red were the colors to wear in this matchup between these neighbors. The Retrievers found the back of the net first, but St. Paul tied it up shortly after. The second was scoreless with little going on and we went to the third tied at 1. Things began to turn in favor of Maplewood in the third, with the Retrievers exposing the Saints defense for a nifty passing play leading to a go ahead goal midway through the third. St. Paul pulled their goalie late in the game but turned the puck over, allowing a Retriever to pop it in the empty net, clinching Maplewood's first playoff victory by a score of 3-1.

St. Paul Victorias vs Stillwater Volunteers
The V's are back, showing why they were given the 3 seed, thoroughly outplaying the Vols for 3 periods. St. Paul got on the board in all three periods, striking twice in the second. Meanwhile Stillwater was able to make do with what little chances they had, converting on a breakaway in the first and a powerplay in the third. It wouldn't be nearly enough though as the Victorias controlled play for nearly the whole game, finding themselves victorious by a score of 4-2.

Richfield Roosters vs Brooklyn Park Panthers
The two best expansion teams of the first year were put head to head in round one in a game that lived up to the hype. The Cocks and Panthers exchanged blows back and forth, lighting the lamp a combined 8 times during regulation, sending us to overtime with the score tied 4-4. Overtime started and the offense didn't slow down with the Roosters winning the draw and immediately going on the offensive. They dropped the puck at the point for their defenseman who picked it up with momentum. He skated down towards the goal line, dishing a backhand pass through the slot. The pass was tipped by his teammate, redirecting it on goal. The shot was saved but the rebound dropped at the Brooklyn Park goalies feet and was quickly poked at by a Rooster, pushing it just hard enough for it to carry past the goal line, sending Richfield to to the second round with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

1972 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round Day 2 - South


Sioux Falls Packers vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
Cottage Grove received a rough welcome to playoff hockey, getting throttled in The Slaughterhouse by Sioux Falls. The Hogs were about as dominant as they could be in this one, outshooting the Jackets 44-7 and winning by a final score of 5-0.

Sioux City Shockers vs Apple Valley Cardinals
Despite putting up an impressive inaugural season, Apple Valley was not nearly as battle tested against top teams and this became apparent early on in this one. The Shockers were arguably better than any team the Cardinals have played to this point and AV looked lost out on the ice, chasing the puck carrier and just playing sloppy hockey. Sioux City was toying with the Cards, playing keep away in the offensive zone and getting chance after chance. The final horn sounded and the scoreboard reflected the play on the ice with the Shockers up 4-1, sending them to the second round.

Rochester Mustangs vs Austin Mavericks
It was a Valley Hockey League rivalry at Graham Arena. The champs welcomed the Mavs back to the post season with fast paced, physical hockey. The Stangs broke through in the second to break the deadlock, but Austin tied it up with just over a minute to go in the second. The third came and went with no score so we went to overtime in Rochester. It was a close game, but the Mustangs had been the better team for most of play and that continued in ot. Rochester entered the Maverick zone with numbers, dishing the puck to a winger who fired a quick shot that beat the goalie over the shoulder, sending the Mustangs to the second round.

St. Peter Governors vs Red Wing Chiefs
Red Wing got on the board at the end of the first, building off the momentum going into the period break and scoring again in the second. The Govs put a few solid minutes together past the midway point of the second, managing to set up a tap in goal to bring themselves to within one. Red Wing regained their 2 goal lead in the third on a rocket from the point, killing St. Peters moral. The Governors looked deflated after that goal and they were unable to put much of anything together afterwards, falling by a final score of 3-1.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

St. Peter, even when you're pretty good, you're bad.